Where to stay in Barcelona
A barrio by barrio guide
Barcelona is one of my favourite cities. A sunny, cosmopolitan and architecturally stunning city that’s located on the Mediterranean? It doesn’t take much convincing. As a city, Barcelona is pretty easy to navigate, owing to its decent transport system and grid layout, not common in many European cities.
Each of the neighbourhoods or barrios if you will, have a distinct feel to them with the old world of Catalonia standing only a stone’s throw from a sleek modernity of Barcelona. Staying in the Catalan capital allows you to see both of these worlds but you need to know your neighbourhoods. Here’s our guide to some of the best hang out spots in the city so that you’ll know where to go to suit your mood.
El Born
Barcelona is crisscrossed with long avenues and boulevards, the most famous of which is of course La Rambla. Parallel to La Rambla is Via Laietana, the avenue that is bordered on one side by the Gothic Quarter and on the other by El Born.
The El Born neighbourhood is a fun, tightly-knit space and is a handy place to base yourself if you are arriving by train to the nearby Estació de França. The Museu Picasso is another nearby attraction, as is the nearby and wonderfully picturesque Parc de la Ciutadella, home to the Catalan parliament and the Barcelona zoo. For drinks, the famous El Xampanyet cava and champagne bar is a traditional bar filled with locals and tourists alike.
Gothic Quarter
On the other side of Via Laietana, the Gothic Quarter or El Gotic, has a more touristy vibe and will lead travellers through its narrow streets to La Rambla and the statue of Christopher Columbus that points out to sea. Take the time to ramble around this medieval neighbourhood to find the tiny squares and cafes that make it so endearing. While La Rambla is full of noise and hubbub, El Gotic has a more laid back vibe that still runs late into the evening and long into the night. Try Ocaña on Plaça Reial for one of the past people-watching spots in the city.
Gràcia
Image courtesy of Oh Barcelona.
Located a little further from the coast than El Born or El Gotic, Gràcia was originally a village separate from Barcelona that became integrated when the city’s layout was redesigned. Gràcia has a very chilled out vibe with people, old and young hanging out in the pedestrianised squares until the small hours. Take the Metro to Fontana and head down the Carrer d’Asturies, Carrer de l’Or and the streets off these to explore these tapas bars, cafes and boutique shops that dot the area, or head to the Plaça del Sol or Plaça Revolució by day to enjoy an ice-cream, or by night to enjoy a beer.
For something more touristic a walk down Passeig de Gràcia boulevard towards Plaça Catalunya shows off some of Gaudí’s most impressive buildings, including La Pedrera and the Casa Batlló. His famous Parc Güell with its multi-coloured mosaics and views of the city, can be found just north of Gràcia close to the Vallcarca metro station.
Sagrada Familia
Image courtesy of SBA73.
Everyone who goes to Barcelona must see the Sagrada Familia, the famous cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudí that has been under construction for almost a century. Queues to enter the church can be long during high season so if you are planning a trip, purchase your tickets online, which include an audioguide and access to the magnificent cathedral towers.
The Sagrada Familia is still under construction so mass is not regularly held here but even if you are not religious, the intricate detail of the interior really is incredible. Away from the cathedral, this neighbourhood is surprisingly un-touristy. The aptly-named Chill Bar on Carrer de Provença, adjacent to the cathedral embodies this vibe nicely.
Barceloneta
Image courtesy of Nicola Saiu.
One of the things Barcelona is best-known for is its beach. Although locals will tell you that the best beaches are in fact outside of the city in nearby towns like Sitges, the beach area of Barceloneta can’t be beaten in terms of proximity or fun.
While the beach can get crowded, you can almost always find a spot for your towel, although you should keep your wits about you and try to have someone to keep an eye on your belongings if you plan on taking a dip in the sea. The beach, by day as well as by night is notorious for pick-pockets. Barceloneta is also a great place to head after work to have a beer and watch the sun go down and the parties here go on long into the night. If you are looking for a tamer activity however, try the ice-cream in Vioko on Passeig de Joan De Borbó.
Montjuïc
Image courtesy of Christian E.
If beaches don’t really do it for you, the other main space to hang out in is the Montjuïc Park. Located next to the former Olympic Village from the 1992 Olympic Games, the park has plenty of recreation and sporting facilities, including a stunning Olympic-sized swimming pool, with views over the city. As well as this, the Montjuïc Castle just off Plaça de Carles Buïgas plays host to the fantastic fountain and light show every evening throughout the summer months while the former bullring in nearby Plaça Espayna is now a shopping centre.
El Raval
Although located next to the touristy Gothic Quarter, El Raval is an area less-visited by many travellers. Where once this was something of a no-go area, redevelopment efforts in the late 1990s now mean that El Raval is one of the hippest neighbourhoods in town and the residential district is one of the most multicultural in the city. El Raval also houses the city’s contemporary art museum and several hip cocktail bars. Try the sun-kissed terrace of Marmalade on Carrer de la Riera Alta for a mojito or the spuriously-named Better Ford on Carrer de Joaquín Costa. The neighbourhood is also home to the mouth-watering La Boquería food market which is located just off La Rambla next to the Liceu metro stop.
Poble-sec
Poble-Sec is another hidden gem that Barcelona has to offer and a great place to base yourself if you are planning a longer stay in the city. Skateboarders and graffiti enthusiasts will love the Parc de les Tres Chimeneas while history buffs can enjoy a tour of a former bomb shelter used during the Spanish Civil War. Bars and restaurants in Poble-Sec are wonderfully reasonable: try the famous Quimet i Quimet bodega on Carrer de Poeta Cabanyes for a thoroughly local experience or Koska Taverna on Barrer de Blai for some authentic Catalan tapas.
Thinking of taking a trip to Barcelona? Browse our homestays in the city to find the host that's right for you.
Written by Mary Plunkett
Mary’s curious personality means that she is forever looking to explore new places and cultures. Like many Irish kids, Mary first got a taste for travel on family camping holidays to France.
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